Florida follows the federal CCPA baseline for wage garnishment percentages, but offers one of the most powerful protections in the nation: the head of household exemption. If you qualify, your wages are completely exempt from garnishment for consumer debts — creditors cannot take a single dollar from your paycheck.
The Head of Household Exemption
Under Florida Statute §222.11, if you provide more than half of the support for a child or other dependent, you qualify as head of household. This exemption completely protects your wages from consumer debt garnishment regardless of your income level. Even if you earn $200,000 per year, if you qualify as head of household, your wages cannot be garnished for credit card debt, medical bills, or personal loans.
Use our Florida Wage Garnishment Calculator to see how the head of household exemption affects your situation. You might also want to compare with California Wage Garnishment Calculator, Texas Wage Garnishment Calculator, or New York Wage Garnishment Calculator to understand differences across states.
How to Claim the Exemption
The head of household exemption is not automatic — you must actively claim it by filing a Claim of Exemption with the court within 20 days of the garnishment answer being served. You will need to provide proof of your dependent status, such as birth certificates, tax returns, or school enrollment records. For a detailed walkthrough, see our article on how to stop wage garnishment in Florida and how to file a wage garnishment exemption.
When the Exemption Does Not Apply
The head of household exemption does not protect against child support garnishment, IRS tax levies, or federal student loan garnishment. These types of garnishment can still take a significant portion of your income even if you qualify as head of household. For child support details, see our child support guide.
If You Do Not Qualify as Head of Household
If you do not have dependents, Florida follows the standard federal limits: 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 30x federal minimum wage, whichever is less. You may still be able to reduce garnishment by demonstrating hardship or negotiating a settlement. You can also learn about how much can be garnished from your paycheck in general.
Need Help Beyond the Calculator?
If you're dealing with wage garnishment and need expert support, professional help may be the fastest path forward. Visit our Resources page to explore vetted options for legal help.
Compare Florida's protections with other states using our State Comparison Tool or browse more details on specific states in our States section.